I have read OSHO recently and it has given some very good insights. The OSHO way is quite a lot the intellect way. I have read that he had been a phychology professor. Hence his analysis of different religious texts by phychological point of view have been very impressive.
Here are a few excerpts which I have picked from his books:
- Today's Human is more mature in thinking. Hence the religious secrets should be put across more clearly. The true intention should be put across for the human of today. For example, to prevent a child from eating too much sweets, we would say that the fridge is haunted. But an adult would not buy this argument; most likely not! so it is better to tell him the real thing.
- Human nature is full of conflict; full of duality. If you have been living in a certain way; after a while you will start liking the opposite. It keeps swinging like a pendulum.
- What is important is to develop an observer within. An Observer; Mere Observer! Whatever emotions and desires manifest in the mind; you should be able to stand at a distance behind and merely observe. You are not to interfere; you are not to stop; But just RECOGNISE the difference between You and the Mind. The moment you recognise the difference; the moment you recognise the observer; none of the emotions or desires will bind you. you will regain your free will in a truest possible sense.
- The answer is not to run away or renounce the world. For two reasons; one, it is not possible to renounce the world since world is everywhere. Second; running away is never a solution; the path goes THROUGH the difficulties of this world. Hence face them; work on them. Whatever is to be done is to be done here in this world only.
Hence the first step; the first baby step; and perhaps the most important step in this path of intellect is to begin the observation & recognise the observer. It shall transform the life and initiate the process which will lead to the ultimate.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Prayer
Shall we pray to God ? or
Shall we love God ? or
Shall we fear God ?
when we are born, we are born with no awareness.. no awareness of our own body, our state of being, of father, mother .. let alone the almighty. Slowly we begin to recognize this world.. starting with Mother.. Father.. then some more about the world.. then at some point of time we are introduced to God .. either form our parents, our teachers or the society.
It is vital that how we are introduced to this supreme power. If God was portrayed as powerful, controlling and judgmental , we will develop some fear. If God is portrayed as one who is provider of everything and is all merciful, we will be attracted to his kindness. More often, in India, it is a mixture of both where there are various forms of God. God is merciful and full of love at one time while he is all powerful and judgmental at others. So normally our collective image consists of both love and fear in different amounts.
Then, at some point of time, a human being is inspired to pray. Life is full of challenges and man constantly seeks support to cope with them. Prayer has scientific virtues. It helps focus the mind. It gives hope. Today, Prayer is being recognised even by those who do not recognise God. They say "If you truly long for something with all your heart, Universe will grant it to you"
Religions are unanimous on this "If you ask something from God with a pure heart, it will come to you"
Now, Isn't that easy! Just ask and get it.
But as always, there is a catch.. and when we try to understand this.. the whole concept of Maya unfolds. I do not have thorough knowledge of many religions except a few, But i believe this concept is embedded in almost every religion.
Ancient Sanskrit scriptures have been saying this since time immemorial:
संसार मोह माया है !!
(The world is mere an attraction & illusion)
When we ask for something from God, with a true heart. It sure does comes.. But it comes with a chain. A chain that is of our own making. A chain which is called desire. A chain of longing. It is chain because it binds us to this world, to the external circumstances, to the external materials.
So Prayer has a price and the price is huge. Price is our eternal freedom.
This freedom is revered in Spirituality. There is NOTHING beyond it. The whole concept of spirituality is to move from attachment to detachment.. and that is to bring back the freedom..
Why freedom?
because freedom is sheer joy.. freedom is pure bliss! If it rains, you are blissful, if sun shines, you are still joyful. The outer world ceases to matter anymore for someone who has attained that freedom. That state of joy can not be imagined from our current state. But we have had glimpses of that joy. That state puts to shame the best worldly experiences can have.
rest later ...
Shall we love God ? or
Shall we fear God ?
when we are born, we are born with no awareness.. no awareness of our own body, our state of being, of father, mother .. let alone the almighty. Slowly we begin to recognize this world.. starting with Mother.. Father.. then some more about the world.. then at some point of time we are introduced to God .. either form our parents, our teachers or the society.
It is vital that how we are introduced to this supreme power. If God was portrayed as powerful, controlling and judgmental , we will develop some fear. If God is portrayed as one who is provider of everything and is all merciful, we will be attracted to his kindness. More often, in India, it is a mixture of both where there are various forms of God. God is merciful and full of love at one time while he is all powerful and judgmental at others. So normally our collective image consists of both love and fear in different amounts.
Then, at some point of time, a human being is inspired to pray. Life is full of challenges and man constantly seeks support to cope with them. Prayer has scientific virtues. It helps focus the mind. It gives hope. Today, Prayer is being recognised even by those who do not recognise God. They say "If you truly long for something with all your heart, Universe will grant it to you"
Religions are unanimous on this "If you ask something from God with a pure heart, it will come to you"
Now, Isn't that easy! Just ask and get it.
But as always, there is a catch.. and when we try to understand this.. the whole concept of Maya unfolds. I do not have thorough knowledge of many religions except a few, But i believe this concept is embedded in almost every religion.
Ancient Sanskrit scriptures have been saying this since time immemorial:
संसार मोह माया है !!
(The world is mere an attraction & illusion)
When we ask for something from God, with a true heart. It sure does comes.. But it comes with a chain. A chain that is of our own making. A chain which is called desire. A chain of longing. It is chain because it binds us to this world, to the external circumstances, to the external materials.
So Prayer has a price and the price is huge. Price is our eternal freedom.
This freedom is revered in Spirituality. There is NOTHING beyond it. The whole concept of spirituality is to move from attachment to detachment.. and that is to bring back the freedom..
Why freedom?
because freedom is sheer joy.. freedom is pure bliss! If it rains, you are blissful, if sun shines, you are still joyful. The outer world ceases to matter anymore for someone who has attained that freedom. That state of joy can not be imagined from our current state. But we have had glimpses of that joy. That state puts to shame the best worldly experiences can have.
rest later ...
Friday, January 25, 2008
live like an animal or live like a saint
Animal..
It is considered derogatory to say someone is living like an animal. It is not advised to live like an animal by either the materialistic fellows or the spiritual ambassadors.
Materialistic or worldly fellows feel that an animal is not achieving any goal. Just fulfilling physical needs is not enough. They argue for higher echelon of needs like self-esteem and self actualization.
why would you need any sense of achievement if you have SATISFACTION. if you examine it closely, you will find satisfaction to be bigger than that. Animals are satisfied creatures by nature. They try to fulfill their basic needs. They don't worry about the future. They just keep on doing what they are genetically programmed (upto the level of their intelligence) to do.
Animals dont create karma. they burn off all the karma they have accumulated in past lives. They dont create karma because they dont desire. They work on fulfilling their needs and work on it without any other expectation. It is a little fine here. Desire is different from need. Need is natural, desire is un-natural. if we look a little deep, we can identify anything we seek as need or desire.
But despite all, saints dont recommend you to live like an animal. They ask you to rise a level above, above living without desire, above burning-karma mode. They ask you to explore the possibility of achieving the supreme state which is possible only in human form. The state which liberates you from the cycle of karma forever.
It is considered derogatory to say someone is living like an animal. It is not advised to live like an animal by either the materialistic fellows or the spiritual ambassadors.
Materialistic or worldly fellows feel that an animal is not achieving any goal. Just fulfilling physical needs is not enough. They argue for higher echelon of needs like self-esteem and self actualization.
why would you need any sense of achievement if you have SATISFACTION. if you examine it closely, you will find satisfaction to be bigger than that. Animals are satisfied creatures by nature. They try to fulfill their basic needs. They don't worry about the future. They just keep on doing what they are genetically programmed (upto the level of their intelligence) to do.
Animals dont create karma. they burn off all the karma they have accumulated in past lives. They dont create karma because they dont desire. They work on fulfilling their needs and work on it without any other expectation. It is a little fine here. Desire is different from need. Need is natural, desire is un-natural. if we look a little deep, we can identify anything we seek as need or desire.
But despite all, saints dont recommend you to live like an animal. They ask you to rise a level above, above living without desire, above burning-karma mode. They ask you to explore the possibility of achieving the supreme state which is possible only in human form. The state which liberates you from the cycle of karma forever.
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